How and where to buy bitcoin (BTC) in Canada

Want to buy bitcoin (BTC) but don’t know how? If you’re new to the world of cryptocurrency, understanding exactly how bitcoin works and how and where you can buy bitcoin in Canada is a pretty big challenge.

To help you make sense of the jargon and safely get your hands on some of the world’s most well-known digital currency, we’ve put together this beginner’s guide to buying bitcoin in Canada.

Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of cryptocurrency or any specific
provider, service or offering. It is not a recommendation to trade.

Quebex Canadian Bitcoin Exchange

Quebex.com is a Canadian Cryptocurrency exchange platform which provides a secure and easy way for traders of all levels to buy and sell digital assets online instantly.

Get a $20 bonus when you buy or sell at least CAD$100 in digital currency. T&Cs apply.
At this Canada-based cryptocurrency broker, you can pay in CAD through bank wire, Interac e-Transfer, Interac Online or Flexepin.

Disclaimer: Highly volatile investment product. Your capital is at risk.Use your USD, EUR or RUB to buy and sell cryptocurrency at competitive exchange rates and with high maximums for verified accounts.

Cryptocurrencies are a highly volatile investment product. Your capital is at risk.Spot trade all of the major cryptos on this full-featured exchange and margin trading platform. A minimum opening deposit of US$10,000 or cryptocurrency equivalent applies.

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What is bitcoin?

Bitcoin is the world’s oldest and biggest digital currency by market cap. Created in 2009 by an unknown person (or persons) using the alias Satoshi Nakamoto, bitcoin is a form of decentralized electronic cash designed to provide a viable alternative to traditional fiat currency.

Rather than having to deal with a centralized authority such as a bank to process transactions, bitcoin holders can transfer their coins directly to one another on a peer-to-peer network. All bitcoin transactions are tracked on a public ledger known as the blockchain, and people working as miners verify transactions and update the blockchain.

A step-by-step guide to buying bitcoin

You can buy bitcoin in Canada in three simple steps:

Step 1. Choose a bitcoin wallet

Before you can buy any bitcoin, you’ll need to set up a digital wallet where you can safely store your coins. Bitcoin wallets don’t actually hold any coins, but instead store the private keys you need to access your public bitcoin address and sign transactions.

Step 2. Choose a cryptocurrency exchange

The next step is to decide how and where you will buy bitcoin. There are hundreds of platforms to choose from, and they can be separated into three main categories:

Brokers offer the quickest and easiest way to buy bitcoin, allowing you to pay for your digital coins using fiat currency (like CAD or USD). Brokers offer user-friendly platforms and allow you to buy bitcoin using familiar payment methods like a credit card or a bank transfer. Their main downside is that they often charge higher fees than other options. Bitbuy.ca is a Canadian owned and operated cryptocurrency broker.

These platforms, such as Binance, allow you to buy bitcoin using other cryptocurrencies. They tend to offer lower fees than brokers and provide access to a more diverse range of coins. However, you’ll usually need to already own another cryptocurrency in order to use this type of exchange, so they’re not really designed for beginners.

Peer-to-peer exchanges cut out the middleman and allow users to trade directly with one another. The seller has the freedom to specify the price they want and their accepted payment methods, and this method allows you to trade with increased privacy. However, you may have to settle for a price higher than the market exchange rate. Examples of peer-to-peer exchanges include LocalBitcoins and Paxful.

Step 3. Buy bitcoin

The final step is to submit an order through your chosen platform. For most first-timers, the easiest and most convenient option is to use a bitcoin broker.

No matter which type of exchange you choose, you’ll usually need to sign up for an account first. Depending on the exchange you use and the regulatory requirements it’s subject to, you may be able to sign up simply by providing your email address or you may need to provide your full name, contact information and proof of ID before being allowed to trade.

Once your account has been verified, you’ll need to enter the amount of BTC you want to buy, choose your payment method, review the fees and the total cost of the transaction and then finalize your purchase.

The exact steps you’ll need to follow vary depending on the payment method and type of platform you choose, so keep reading for more details on the different ways you can buy bitcoin.

How can I pay for my bitcoin?

There are many different ways you can purchase bitcoin, each of which has its own pros and cons.

Use an exchange that allows you to deposit funds into your account using a money transfer service, such as Western Union or MoneyGram, and pay for your transaction with cash. Cryptex24 is one such platform.

Buying bitcoin with cash is quick and convenient, but is usually more expensive than other options.

Many bitcoin brokers and exchanges allow you to buy bitcoin using your credit card. These include platforms like CEX.IO and Coinmama, and using your credit card allows you to make quick and convenient purchases.

However, credit card transactions tend to attract higher fees and some banks have even blocked customers from buying crypto with plastic. Debit cards are nowhere near as widely accepted as credit cards but can still be used to buy cryptocurrency on some platforms.

Got a PayPal account and want to use it to buy bitcoin? The good news is that you can definitely do this; the bad news is that only a limited number of platforms accept PayPal.

The biggest advantage of buying bitcoin with PayPal is that it’s quick and easy to do as you’ll no doubt be aware if you’ve ever used PayPal to purchase anything else online.

However, you may need to hunt around for the right platform, and if the platform you choose doesn’t accept CAD, then you’ll need to be fully aware of the fees that apply. VirWox and Paxful are two of the better-known platforms that accept PayPal at the time of writing in August 2018.

Another way to buy bitcoin with Canadian dollars is to choose a platform that accepts bank transfer deposits. The list of platforms that allow bank transfers includes sites like Bitbuy, Quebex, QuadrigaCX, Coinsquare and others.

Depositing funds using your bank account usually doesn’t attract any fees, but it does mean you may have to wait one to two business days until the funds are cleared into your exchange account.

Before making a bank account transfer, make sure you consider the following:

Any transaction limits that apply

The fees charged by the bitcoin exchange or broker

How long it will take for your funds to arrive

If you want to exchange another cryptocurrency for bitcoin, you’ll be pleased to learn that BTC is listed in a huge range of trading pairs on a wide variety of crypto exchanges. The key is finding the exchange that offers the right features and fees for you.

You’ll need to search for exchanges that list your desired trading pair, such as BTC/DASH, and then compare the pros and cons of each platform. Once you’ve found a suitable exchange, you can buy bitcoin by following a few simple steps.

For example, if you want to buy BTC on Binance, you’ll need to do the following:

Register for an account with Binance.

Enable 2-factor authentication.

Click on “Funds” and select “Deposits”.

Select the digital currency you want to deposit (eg, DASH) and then copy the relevant wallet address or scan the QR code.

How to choose a bitcoin exchange

With hundreds of platforms to choose from, finding the best bitcoin exchange for your needs is a challenging task. To make your choice easier, consider these key factors when comparing exchanges:

Where the exchange is based and how it’s regulated. While the regulatory environment surrounding Canadian digital currency exchanges is changing and becoming slightly clearer all the time, the same can’t be said for some overseas-based exchanges. Do some research to find out where an exchange is based, the regulatory requirements that apply in that country, and whether the exchange complies with those requirements. This will help you work out if you’re dealing with a reputable platform.

Security. Look at the security features a platform has to offer, such as 2-factor authentication and PGP encrypted emails. Has it ever been hacked or linked to any suspicious activity?

Fees. Check the fine print to find out exactly how much your transaction will cost. Depending on the platform you choose, these could include trading fees and transaction fees, as well as deposit and withdrawal charges.

Transaction limits. Are there any minimum or maximum limits on the amount of bitcoin you can purchase? Does the exchange restrict the amount of funds you can withdraw from your account in any one transaction or 24-hour period?

Supported currencies. As the biggest digital currency in the world by some margin, bitcoin can be bought and sold on a huge range of platforms. However, if you’re looking to acquire other cryptocurrencies as well as bitcoin, check to see what other coins you can buy through the platform.

Customer support. If you ever have a problem with a transaction, will you be able to quickly and easily get in touch with the customer support team? Check what contact methods are available and find out how quick the team is at responding to enquiries.

Reputation. Research bitcoin forums and online reviews to find out what sort of experience other users have had with the platform.

Buying bitcoin from a Canadian exchange: pros and cons

There’s plenty of choice when selecting a bitcoin exchange, and Canadian users can choose from platforms based here at home or in countries all around the world. So, should you buy bitcoin from a Canadian exchange or from a foreign platform? To help you decide, consider the pros and cons of buying on a local Canadian exchange.

Pros

Canadian exchanges are mostly regulated and should comply with local regulations

You can usually buy bitcoin with CAD.

Canadian exchanges support local payment methods.

You can access local customer support.

You may be able to get better consumer protection if your funds go missing.

Cons

You’ll need to provide your personal details and proof of ID – a disadvantage for people who want to trade anonymously.

The registration process takes longer than on those platforms that don’t require ID verification.

Some bigger platforms based overseas offer much better liquidity.

Regardless of whether you choose a Canadian or overseas-based crypto exchange, make sure you compare a range of options before deciding which platform to use.

Buying bitcoin on Bitbuy

Want to buy bitcoin from a cryptocurrency broker using Canadian dollars? Here’s a step-by-step guide explaining exactly what you need to do, using Toronto-based exchange Bitbuy as an example:

Register for an account with Bitbuy

You can sign up for a Bitbuy account by providing your email address and creating a password. Before you can trade, you’ll need to verify your account by providing the following:

A copy of your passport or driver’s licence must be uploaded in colour

A copy of a bank statement or utility bill showing your name and proof of address

A photo of yourself holding your government-issued ID

If you have a business account, you must provide additional documents proving authority to act on behalf of a corporation.

Remember to also enable 2-factor authentication on your account for extra security.

Deposit funds into your account

From your Bitbuy account dashboard, click the “Deposit” link. You’ll then be able to transfer the necessary funds into your account via the following methods:

Bank wire

Interac online

Interac e-Transfer

Flexepin vouchers

Buy BTC

Click on the “Buy/Sell” tab and click on the “Buy BTC” button. Specify how much bitcoin you want to buy or how much CAD you want to spend, then take a moment to review the full details of the transaction before you click “Buy”.

Five things you should know before you buy bitcoin

You wouldn’t invest in shares without doing your research first, so make sure you understand the following essential facts about bitcoin before you buy:

It’s volatile. Take a look at a graph charting the price history of bitcoin and you’ll see straight away that its value is capable of rising and falling sharply in a relatively short space of time. Not only is bitcoin volatile but, as a very new asset class, it’s also highly unpredictable. This means there’s a high level of risk associated with buying bitcoin.

Security is vital. Have you ever heard the saying that if you don’t own your private key, you don’t own your bitcoin? Understanding the difference between your public and private key as well as the importance of safely storing your private key is crucial to securing your BTC.

Bitcoin transactions can’t be cancelled. Once you’ve submitted a transaction to the bitcoin network, it cannot be cancelled. With this in mind, make sure you double-check the receiving address before sending a bitcoin payment.

Bitcoin is not anonymous. There’s a widespread misconception that all bitcoin transactions are anonymous. This isn’t the case as your public address and the details of your transactions are visible to everyone. If anonymous transactions are an important feature for you, it may be worth researching privacy-focused coins, such as Monero.

Finally, it’s also worth remembering that bitcoin is far from the only fish in the cryptocurrency sea. While it may be the biggest and best-known, there are more than 1,600 other cryptocurrencies available as of August 2018 (and growing). While the value of some of these coins is questionable, there are plenty of other digital currencies worth considering as alternatives to bitcoin.

Other ways to get bitcoin

Want to get your hands on some bitcoin without actually buying it? There are a few options available:

Buying bitcoin OTC

If you want to buy a large amount of bitcoin, for example $50,000 or more, you may want to think twice before placing your trade on a traditional exchange. Not only will you be exposed to slippage, which can substantially increase the cost of your trade, but you’ll also need to accept the risks of hacking and theft associated with traditional exchanges.

Over-the-counter (OTC) brokers can offer better prices, increased transaction limits and faster processing times to large-volume traders. Check out our OTC cryptocurrency trading guide to find out how buying OTC works as well as the benefits and risks you should be aware of.

Next steps

If you want to buy bitcoin, start comparing a range of cryptocurrency brokers and exchanges. Look at their features, fees, security and overall reputation to decide which platform is the right fit for you.

You can then sign up for an account and get ready to start trading. However, make sure you research your purchase thoroughly and are fully aware of the risks involved before you buy.

FAQs

Yes. Each individual bitcoin is divisible to 0.00000001 BTC, so it’s possible to buy a small fraction of a coin.

While you can store your bitcoin on an exchange, it’s generally not recommended. Not only are crypto exchanges a popular target for hackers, but storing your coins on an exchange means that you don’t have control of your private keys. As a result, the safest option is to transfer your coins to a secure, private wallet.

The fastest way to buy bitcoin is probably to use a bitcoin ATM. If there’s a bitcoin ATM near you, the process of depositing cash and having it converted to BTC is quite quick.

If there aren’t any ATMs close to you, the quickest way will probably be to use a service that doesn’t require any ID verification.

The easiest way to buy bitcoin in Canada is to use a trusted bitcoin broker. These services make it as simple as possible to get your hands on some BTC. Their platforms are easy to use, you can usually pay with CAD using everyday payment methods like your credit card or a bank transfer, and transactions are generally processed quite quickly.

The time it takes to buy bitcoin varies depending on the payment method and platform you use. For example, credit card purchases may be processed instantly, while bank transfers may take one to two business days to clear.

Check the terms and conditions of your broker or crypto exchange for details of average processing times, and remember that the amount of activity on the bitcoin network can also have an effect.

If you want to sell bitcoin, you once again have a wide variety of platforms to choose from, including brokers and a long list of crypto exchanges. You also have the flexibility to exchange your bitcoin for Canadian dollars or to sell it for an extensive range of cryptocurrencies.

Disclaimer: Cryptocurrencies are speculative, complex and involve significant risks – they are highly
volatile and sensitive to secondary activity. Performance is unpredictable and past performance is no guarantee of
future performance. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before relying on this information.
You should also verify the nature of any product or service (including its legal status and relevant regulatory
requirements) and consult the relevant Regulators' websites before making any decision. Finder, or the author, may
have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.

Disclaimer - We endeavour to ensure that the information on this site is current and accurate but you should confirm any information with the product or service provider and read the information they can provide. If you are unsure you should get independent advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan.

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